The Journey Of The Biewer Into Canada

How It All Began

Mr. & Mrs. Werner and Gertrude Biewer of Hunsruck Germany bred their 1981 Dortmund World Youth Winning Yorkshire Terriers, “Darling von Friedheck” and “Fru Fru von Friedheck” and to their surprise, on January 20, 1984, their first tri-colored puppy was born bearing the traditional colors of a Yorkshire terrier (Yorkie) with the addition of white. This puppy was named “Schneeflocken von Friedheck”, (schneeflöcke is German for snowflake). It is said that each of these fabulous specimens were carriers of the piebald gene. There is much speculation as to how this gene entered the race. However Gertrude and Werner felt the offspring of this mating were an incredible little dog and decided to embrace the litter and continued to breed for this particular colour. Mr. Biewer's Yorkshire Terriers (Yorkies) that produced his three colored offspring came from the Streamglen Kennels in England. The widely accepted theory is that the white marking on Schneeflocken was the result of a recessive piebald gene present in the breeding pair Darling and Fru Fru. Throughout the next five years, Mr. and Mrs. Biewer carefully bred their lines to a set type. On November 15, 1989 Mr. Biewer wrote and signed his official Standard for the Biewer. This standard was submitted to and accepted into the Allgemeiner Club der Hunderfreunde Deutschland e. V. (the ACH e. V.) in 1989 and the Biewer became recognized for the first time.

Fru Fru von Friedheck

Darling von Friedheck

Mrs.Biewer

Mr.Biewer

﻿The Biewer Travels To The United States﻿

In 2003, the first Biewer was shown in the U.S.A. by Donna Hall, founder of the American chapter of the 1.BYC Mrs. Hall worked diligently to gain Biewer recognition under the show auspices of the IABCA and the NAKC/Rarities. Mrs. Hall was instrumental in the development of a more detailed Biewer Standard accepted to the RVD/UCI currently being used by IABCA and NAKC as well as Ontario Rare Breed judges. Through showing the Biewer in rare breed conformation venues and their notice by other canine Fancier’s, the Biewer is enjoying a rapid increase in popularity not only in Europe but also the United States, Canada, and many other parts of the world. BCC wishes to spread awareness of the importance for any breeder to belong to a club of their choice to help track and advance the breed. The Biewer numbers are growing rapidly as more and more fanciers are discovering the breed, more are imported from Germany as foundation stock and pets thus more litters are being born in the United States and Canada. The original German standard signed was that of a 'Biewer Yorkshire a la Pom-Pon', over time the breed eventually became referred to as Biewer, Biewer Yorkie or Biewer Yorkshire. The word "Terrier was never a part of the Original Signed Standard.

﻿The Biewer Comes to Canada﻿

The first Biewer shown in Canada was shown in Ontario in 2006, after Jan Prosser submitted the standard to the Rare Breed Club of Ontario. The dogs name was Dino Von Castellhun who was originally imported from the von Casellhun kennel in Germany and lovingly shown by his owners/handlers Biewer Castle Kennel of Ontario.

The Biewer Club of Canada established in 2014 has set out to organize and educate the Canadian breeders so that this wonderful, highly intelligent, inquisitive little dog will be accepted as a breed all of its own. It is important that a Canadian Breed Club be established to look to the future of this breed as this breed is rapidly gaining in popularity. We look to the future in hopes of foreseeing how best the BCC can lead Canadian breeders in terms of promotion, education, and registration and structured breeding practices.

BCC knows that with careful breeding, the Biewer will be a breed whose future is assured. The breed order we will enact for our breeding pairs will include DNA verification by the major Canine genetic company, as well as exclusively breeding only Biewer to Biewer. BCC breeder/members will develop lines that will ensure the health of the dog. We will continue to follow any major health issues that may arise in this breed to see if any lines are producing specific problems. The Biewer Club of Canada is dedicated to keeping detailed records of dogs born in Canada.​

Biewers Around The World

​​The breed has continued to gain in popularity here and around the world. On April 20, 2009, the RKF of Russia officially recognized Biewers as a breed of their own and as decided by the RKF Breed Committee the name of the breed is "Biewer". The International World Dog Show was held in Moscow in September 2009. This event is a three day show and was the first which allowed Biewers to participate.

The Russian Biewer Club had it's first meeting January 29, 2010, and their members have participated in many dog shows.

South Africa is home to the Western Province Biewer Breed Club. Alet Fourie, formerly a BBCA member, is the club president. Their dogs are registered with the South African KUSA and participates in many show events.

The country of Latvia has also been host to shows which allow Biewers to participate. Judge Bob Brampton, shown in this photo, awarded a Biewer a Best in Show.